Monday, 16 December 2013

Robin Chapel

It was the third Sunday in Advent, and once again John the
Baptist was very much to the fore, starting with a rousing rendition of On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry,
which fairly raised the rafters. There were only eleven worshippers, but the
thirteen choristers made a big noise in a small space.

Maybe they get more folk attending when the weather isn’t
fierce and filthy, but if you’ve never been to the Robin Chapel then you’ve
missed a choral treat. Built in memory of Robin Tudsbury as part of the Thistle Foundation, it is described as interdenominational but appears to be more or less Anglican. They have a super little choir who sing evensong every
week, yesterday’s music list being:

Hymns 34, 573 (Common Praise)

Plainsong Preces and
Responses

Ps. 14

Amner Cesar’s Service

Gibbons This is the
record of John

Naylor Festal
Responses

Bit of a wobble on the final verse of the Gibbons, but it
was pretty impressive. Even the collects were sung, and the order of service is
from the 1929 Scottish Prayer Book, which features such charming archaisms as, “In
Quires and Places where they sing, here followeth the Anthem.”

The visiting preacher, the Very Revd Mgr Michael Regan from
the Metropolitan Cathedral, wins the prize for the best vestments of the year
bar none. Germolene pink satin – rose pink, he called it – with elaborate
floral embroidery and a befringèd cope. It even surpasses the gold and yellow
number worn by Jennifer Irungu at the Kingdom Church, though he might lose a point or two for not accessorising with sparkly high
heels. Maybe that would have been over-egging it.

The readings were Isaiah 35 and Matthew 11:2-15, and the
sermon was about preparing a way for the Lord, citing lyrics from Les Miserables and reflecting on what it
means to be touched by love, when we can begin to discern what the prophets
have been talking about. At just seven minutes long, it’s probably the shortest
address of the year, but there was a lot of singing to get through, and having sat through some dire sermons during my mission I'm not going to complain about concision.

I’ve noted a couple of times throughout my year of churchgoing that there’s something aesthetically pleasing about the Anglican liturgy, and
especially so when it’s all set to such fabulous music. Does it do anything for
me spiritually? Er … no. Sorry. But maybe that’s just because I’m dead inside.

But they’re doing a Christmas carol service next Sunday at
4pm, which should have some good music. How many people they can fit in is
another matter, as there’s probably only seating for thirty or so. First come,
first served, I guess.